Meaning

noun any distinct time period in a sequence of events

verb perform (a play), especially on a stage

noun a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process

originFrom Middle English stage, from Old French estage (“dwelling, residence; position, situation, condition”), from Old French ester (“to be standing, be located”). Cognate with Old English stæþþan (“to make staid, stay”), Old Norse steðja (“to place, provide, confirm, allow”), Old English stede (“state, status, standing, place, station, site”). More at stead. Doublet of étage.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0